CHELSFIELD AFTERNOON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

At our June meeting, Tina O'Donnell gave a very amusing talk about Llamas and Alpacas. She bought her pet Alpaca, two year old Bubbles with her to show us how tame and friendly they are.

Slightly larger than a Shetland Pony, Bubbles was very well behaved throughout the meeting except for an occasional wander round to inspect the audience. Born in the summer of 2003, she suffered from hypothermia in the cold winter that followed and for a time did not have the use of her hind legs.

With much TLC from her owner, she eventually recovered and now obviously enjoys her star status, she certainly caused quite a stir when she made her entry into the hall.

Llamas are much bigger but are friendly and easily tamed, they have been used as guard animals for flocks of sheep, to pull small carts and with pannier bags to carry quite heavy loads.

One lady Ms O'Donnell knows, actually takes hers to the supermarket to carry her weekly shop, causing some excitement in the car park.

Irene Evans proposed the vote of thanks for a most enjoyable afternoon.